A method of protecting information in a data storage device is provided. The method includes receiving, in the data storage device, encrypted data via a host computer in which the data storage device is employed. The encrypted data is then decrypted, and re-encrypted, in the data storage device, either before storage or just before data is transferred back to the host computer. The decryption and re-encryption (transcription) is performed substantially independently of the host computer. In addition, a data storage device, readable by a computer system, for implementing the above method for protecting information is provided.